Album Review: Fertile Ground – Black Is (Blackout Studios)

Writer: Ike Ikwuemesi

If ever there was a group whose sonic axis spun interminably on the apex of the global soul underground movement, Fertile Ground would arguably be it. It was in 1997 in the city of Baltimore, hometown to fellow trailblazers, Billie Holiday and Frank Zappa, that this gifted collective was born. And ever since they’ve been laying claim to some of the most enriching soundscapes this side of the cosmos. Little wonder why directional producers from the dance music universe jockey to offer personal reworks. This was the case with Fertile Ground’s, previous album, Seasons Change, which delivered an LP spin-off of dazzling remixes from the likes of Seiji, Kaidi Tatham, Ayro, Jazztronik, Waiwan and Oneness of Two.

Now four deep into their studio album discography with Counterpoint Records, Black Is is Fertile Ground’s latest submission. Originally a trio, the group is now seven in number. Bandleader James Collins consistently delivers the musical arrangements wrapped around the lush vocal talent of Navasha Daya. Their latest material carries on modus operandi: progressive words and sounds resonating from the music spectrum of the afro Diaspora. Audiophiles of all and sundry get served royally, Nubia style.

The opening track is no preamble. Spirit World delves straight into the eardrums in true afro beat fashion. Daya intones bilingually between English and another language of African origin. And just like with Les Nubians, one may not understand linguistically but intuitively the connection is made. Live in the Light (check out the UK remix and enjoy) is a horn-riffed funky stomp and is lyrically telling as to where Daya is coming from, or rather going to, which is a conscious place of proactivity, and illumination. The monologue track, An Artist Prayer, puts paid to this, her warrior drive: “We are honoured to be an underground railroad in audio form. This profession ain’t no hiding place in a battlefield.” True; and a quote that exemplifies another made by Chuck D: “Muse Sick-N-Hour Mess Age”. The rebel music baton has been handed over, and patterned towards the incumbents’ personal creativity which is of no less quality or effect. As in the band’s previous works, Daya’s inflection is steeped in the awareness that we are still in the throes of a struggle.

The lingering cut Black Is… is as lyrically elevating as it gets towards personal pride and place within cultures that deem to tell otherwise. Collins’ production reins are cannily tempered to modulating degrees depending on the themes and moods that are explored. He allows Daya’s voice to breathe accordingly. The wonderful jazz-tempo song that is You is typical of that symbiosis. Along with Yellow Daisies and Another Day it’s also evident of the stirring romanticism that is a running facet to this spiritually charged band.

Black Is... is rich in its afro diasporic dynamism as well as universal in the connection it makes to souls with an innate appreciation of why acts like Fertile Ground are necessary in our illogical world.

RELATED LINKS:
Blackout Studios - label home to Fertile Ground



Buy Fertile Ground 's Black is album at Amazon UK (CD) | US (CD)



PUBLISHED: 10 November 2004

RELEASE DATE: 15 November 2004 (UK), 24 August 2004 (US)

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